Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, is considered one of the most influential political figures in the country, having taken over the reins of affairs in 1995 after removing his father from power and, after 18 years of rule, voluntarily transferred power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in 2013.
Publish dateMonday 13 July 2026 - 09:20
Story Code : 360450
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, born on June 1, 1952, seized power in Qatar in a bloodless coup on June 27, 1995, while his father, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, was on a foreign trip, and assumed the reins of affairs as the Emir of the country.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, the sixth emir of Qatar, had previously come to power in 1972 by deposing his cousin, Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani. He was the son of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani and had previously served as crown prince.
After Sheikh Khalifa was deposed in 1995, dozens of his close associates and supporters were arrested. A few months later, Qatari officials announced that an attempt had been made to restore him to power; an attempt that they said had failed and a number of people suspected of participating in it, including a former minister, were arrested.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani returned to Doha from Beirut in 2003 after living outside Qatar for years.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani voluntarily stepped down from power in 2013 after nearly two decades in power, handing over the Emirate of Qatar to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; This was an unprecedented move among the Gulf countries and ensured a smooth and tension-free transfer of power.
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